Saturday, 30 April 2011

Sunday 1May, the workers of the world shall gather in their many designated areas to remember this historically significant day in their history away from the stressful work environment.

Like all workers globally, the working class in Swaziland shall come together to make reflections on this day with regard to their struggles in the work place and under the oppressive tinkhundla regime.

For them this is not a celebration, but a time to take stock and forge a wayforward to the future. A future with complete freedom for the workers and all the oppressed people in Swaziland. This is a day that was gained through the struggles and sacrifices of workers past and present. It must therefore be cherished by all workers.

PUDEMO therefore calls upon all the workers in the country to remain united on this day and beyond. As evidenced in recent struggles, unity is the only tool that will enable the trade union movement make giant strides in their demands from the employer. But most
importantly, unity shall give them the necessary strength and resilience in their common mandate of fighting for social justice and fundamental transformation of the country's political environment.

As you fight for justice in the workplaces, remember the poor and oppressed masses who have no political voice; have no food; who are subjected to poor health services; lack employment; etc.

May the workers take courage knowing that your struggles for the liberation of the people of Swaziland has the full support of the international community that has over the years unreservedly provided solidarity.

We cannot afford to forget that it was on this very day a year ago that one of the working class, Sipho Jele disappeared on his way to be with fellow workers only to emerge dead in the regime's prison cell. May his spirit live long and inspire the workers in their daily
struggles.

May the workers emerge from this day renewed and vigorously singing the ancient old workers anthem SOLIDARITY FOREVER... and let it reverberate in the air-conditioned offices of the employer and the corridors of power in Swaziland!

We stand on a shaking ground, maimed by positive signals of political and organizational growth among the motive forces and labour formations in particular.

Our society is infested with global technology euphoria, international capital spiral and desire for economic freedom before political freedom.

The desire to see liberation- true liberation is high among the Swazi people, that said not withstanding the rural masses, who have in their local communities have been engaging on debates on the crisis facing our country.

The organized forces –labour formations and all sectors of the people’s movement have staged a historic spectacle showcasing the contradiction that exist between the oppressors and the exploited masses of Swaziland.

April 12 2011 will always be remembered for many reasons by all Swazis who made their way to Manzini on the week of action. You will swear that we were a country in war , the supremacy and overwhelming authority of the national military forces was enough to smash anyone and everyone if they so wished. People were bashed, displaced and humiliated, we say to those comrades the oppressor might have done all that to discourage and dampen your spirits but to us you are now new sons and daughters who are prepared to fight for your own liberation. It will not help us to dwell much on the past but we need to take and build on the positives outcomes and ensure that we learn from our past experiences. Marches and demonstration should become a part of our lives. History tells us that if people are engaged in a struggle for their own realization and freedom they learn from their action so we need to do the same.

We also welcome the news of the formation of a single federation in the country by our unions. We can only appreciate and hope that we will be supporting genuine and concrete formation. The strength of this formation will be determined by our unity as we move forward but the unity should always be tested on the ground when we implement programs. Leaders should always be on the alert of this international bourgeoisie who will want to dictate terms to the federation because of their money, our agenda of seeing a democratic Swaziland and better working conditions for workers must live on and be realized by every worker. Ideological warfare would be critical at this hour to win the majority to support and advance our struggle in Swaziland.

As we go for our celebration for May Day let us be reminded of the death of a trade unionist, a freedom fighter, a revolutionary, a martyr of our revolution CDE SIHPO JELE. To us this should not just be a celebration but we should make sure that the spear that Cde Sipho left behind a spear to be taken by cadres brave cadres should do so . He indeed wanted to see a free and democratic society and he believed that as united workers we will destroy capitalism and create a free society.

We also welcome the international journalist who have constantly had an interest in our struggle for democracy and have continued to expose the brutality of Mswati’s Regime. They should continue profile our struggle and remember that we remain committed to the total destruction Tinkhunlda.

On the same vein we also welcome the undying and continued support from international allies ANCYL, YCL, COSATU ,SACP and all other solidarity formations we say to you your support is our strength of resistance.

We call upon every youth of Swaziland in all sectors of our society and beyond to revolt against the following:

- Tinkhunlda economic crisis

- Their freedom of association and expression

- We demand the realese of our President Cde Bheki Dlamini and all political prisoners including Cde Zonke Dlamini and Amos Mbedzi who are still kept in Mswati’s jails.

- Demand a democratic Swaziland.

To the oppressor your behavior towards pro democracy people is unwanted and we believe people should demand what they believe is theirs. Our people will demand their liberation and indeed they will defend themselves if the need arises.

A new wine is in the brew, be warned the walls of the all wine skin shall burst open. The young lions are growing old before soon they shall roar and the people will be set free.

The Swaziland Vigil will picket the Four Seasons Hotel in London today (30 April 2011) when King Mswati III holds a reception at the end of his visit to attend the Royal Wedding.

The King’s attendance drew much critical comment in the British media because of his human rights abuses. He was grouped in Westminster Abbey along with guests such as the

Zimbabwean ambassador Gabriel Machinga in what the Times newspaper called ‘the pew of evil’. The British government cited protocol for not cancelling their invitations as demanded by the Swaziland Vigil and the Zimbabwe Vigil, which stage regular human rights demonstrations in London.

After the Saturday Vigil outside the Zimbabwe Embassy (30 April), Zimbabweans will join the Swazi protest outside the Four Seasons Hotel from 6.30 – 8.30 pm.

Swaziland Vigil co-ordinator Thobile Gwebu said ‘we want to show the British people and the world that Mswati does not represent the people of Swaziland’.

Date: Saturday, 30th April 2011 from 6.30 – 8.30 pm.

Venue: Four Seasons Hotel, Hamilton Place, Park Lane W1J 7DR. The protest will be located outside the Royal Aeronautical Society, 4 Hamilton Place W1J 7BQ across the road from the hotel. (The police ask that we do not obstruct the public footway or enter on to property owned by the Four Seasons Hotel.)

Tube: Hyde Park Corner.

Contact: Thobile Gwebu / Fungayi Mabhunu 07746 552 597

Zimbabwe Vigil Co-ordinators

The Vigil, outside the Zimbabwe Embassy, 429 Strand, London, takes place every Saturday from 14.00 to 18.00 to protest against gross violations of human rights in Zimbabwe. The Vigil which started in October 2002 will continue until internationally-monitored, free and fair elections are held in Zimbabwe. http://www.zimvigil.co.uk

Publishing house Smith, Jones, Dlamini, Dlamini and Dlamini have announced the publication of a new phrasebook which will make Tinkhundla English comprehensible to English speakers from outside the Swaziland.Here is a foretaste of some of the entries:

Enjoy.

Tinkhundla English

Mysteriously disappeared from the police station

English

Stolen by the police

Unique system of democracy

Undemocratic

Mysterious giant serpent with supernatural powers that lives in the river

A snake

Mysteriously disappeared from the Council’s bank account

Stolen by the Council

To suffer from a lack of budgetary means, capacity and infrastructure to implement the constitutional requirement to provide free primary education